Name changed for privacy. Photo not that of the client.
After a year of unemployment, “Stacey” found what she thought would be her dream job, but it soon turned into a nightmare when she reported a coworker’s sexual harassment to human resources.
As a purchasing agent for a mid-sized air conditioning company in Jacksonville, Stacey received frequent compliments on her work performance from the management. About a month into the job, she arrived at work and entered the office area through the company’s warehouse doors.
There, she came upon a parts technician with his back towards her, and in an attempt to greet him, she tapped him on the shoulder. He then swiftly swung around and wrapped his left arm around her waist, while used his right hand to grab her buttocks.
Stacey managed to extricate herself and quickly walked towards the office area, where she found the human resources manager and her boss together and described to them what had just taken place. She assumed this would prompt an investigation and that the parts technician would be asked to leave the workplace pending the outcome of this investigation.
Instead, the company allowed him to remain in the workplace, where for the next two days he found ways to interact with Stacey, making her so uncomfortable she took a day off from work.
Upon her return to the office, Stacey was called into a meeting with her boss and the human resources manager, who proceeded to terminate her employment. They claimed she appeared to have initiated the contact with the parts technician, and that her work product was deemed to be unsatisfactory.
Stacey, who had received nothing but positive feedback regarding her work performance, was stunned. She had recently learned from a female coworker that the same parts technician had received no discipline after having sexually harassed her about a year prior. And yet she was being characterized as the “initiator.”
That’s when Stacey contacted JALA to, as she said, “right this wrong.”
JALA attorney Edith Jones promptly sent a letter to the company’s president explaining how the company was in violation of the law protecting employees from being sexually harassed and requested that the company compensate Stacey.
The lawyer for the company reached out to JALA, and a settlement was reached.
Stacey, who was fortunate enough to find another job, expressed gratitude to JALA for making it clear to this company that sexual harassment in the workplace will not be tolerated.
About Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is a nonprofit law firm focused on delivering economic, social, and housing justice to low-income and at-risk individuals and families on the First Coast.
If you are an attorney wanting to volunteer with probate and heirs property issues, contact JALA Pro Bono Director Aaron Irving, at (904) 356-8371, Ext. 363, or Aaron.Irving@jaxlegalaid.org.
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